The term
debunkoriginated in a 1923 novel
Bunk, by Americannovelist William Woodward
(1874–1950), who used it to mean to "take the bunk out of things."

Often the term "debunkery" is not limited to arguments about
scientific validity. It can also be used in a more general sense at
attempts to discredit any opposing point of view, such as that of a
political opponent.

Houdini and the spiritualists, Summit Daily News, November
3, 2007, "Houdini himself wouldn’t have believed in his second
coming anyway, because he didn’t believe in spirit manifestations.
In fact, he spent much of his life and career debunking
spiritualists and mediums — an admirable mission that history and
forensic specialists now tell us probably led to his untimely death
at the age of 52."

Obituaries; Betty Hill, 85; Claim of Abduction by Aliens
Led to Fame, Los Angeles Times, Oct 24, 2004, "Carl
Sagan, the Pulitzer Prize-winning astronomer, was among the Hills'
debunkers, yet he considered their story noteworthy."

Area parents seek answer for Autism, The Times Leader,
April 1, 2002, "That is coincidence, said Dr. Stephen Barrett of
Allentown, a veteran debunker and operator of Quackwatch.com.
"